Health benefits of fruits

Fruits contain 90-95% water, which have a diuretic (increases urination) effect on the body and help eliminate the toxins and nitrogenous wastes from the body.

Most of the fruits are low in sodium and high in potassium, which is an important mineral and helps to maintain normal blood pressure and also improve heart function.

Fruits like grapes and cherries, blueberries, kiwi, plums and blackberries helps reduce the risk of cancer and heart diseases. Guava, oranges, papaya and Indian gooseberry are very good sources for vitamin C an antioxidant. Mangoes and papaya are excellent source for beta carotene.

Beta carotene and lycopene present in apricots take care of the heart by preventing oxidation of LDL cholesterol. Health benefits of apricots include building up of energy and iron resources in the body.

Bananas are a very good source of potassium, vitamin B, vitamin C, manganese and dietary fibre. They are one of the highest sources of potassium, and regular intake may even help to keep blood pressure low.

Recent studies have shown that cherries help relieve the symptoms and pain caused in gout, arthritis and joint inflammation.

The fibre present in fruits like apples has a laxative effect on the body i.e. it helps relieve constipation. The fibre also gives a feeling of satiety by adding bulk to the diet which is beneficial in conditions like diabetes mellitus, heart diseases and obesity.

Fruits like Kiwi are a very good source of vitamin E that is an important fat-soluble antioxidant which when combined with water-soluble antioxidants provides free radical protection on all fronts.

Papayas is a rich source of antioxidants, vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin A and vitamin D. These antioxidants helps prevent oxidation of LDL cholesterol which if not taken care of can stick to and build up in blood vessel walls forming dangerous plaques leading to atherosclerosis, heart attacks or strokes.

Pineapple is loaded with vitamin C and has anti-inflammatory properties, which serves as a natural home remedy for those suffering from arthritis.